[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 148 (Wednesday, September 17, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1828]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 SCHOOL SAFETY ENHANCEMENTS ACT OF 2008

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                           HON. BOB ETHERIDGE

                           of north carolina

                    in the house of representatives

                       Monday, September 15, 2008

  Mr. ETHERIDGE. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of the School Safety 
Enhancements Act of 2007. This legislation reauthorizes and strengthens 
the Secure Our Schools program, which provides critical support to our 
Nation's schools for equipment to keep our children safe during their 
educational time. Over the past 6 years, $65 million in Federal grant 
funds have been put to work in a partnership between law enforcement 
agencies and local schools to invest in security and school safety at 
more than 2,400 schools nationwide.
  As the former superintendent of North Carolina's public schools, I 
know that a student needs fertile soil for learning to take seed. I 
have rare firsthand knowledge of the importance of quality school 
buildings to the educational goals we hold for our schools, and the 
challenges those schools face in inadequate facilities. There really is 
no substitute for bricks and mortar when it comes to quality schools. 
While good teachers and administrators are central to education, we 
also need a good environment for students. Children cannot learn in 
facilities that are substandard or overcrowded or where they do not 
feel safe. That is why I have made it a priority in Congress to support 
funds for school construction, for school safety, and for school 
emergency preparedness needs.
  This bill is a step to address the pressing needs that schools have 
for safety. Even as teachers, administrators, and students are working 
together with law enforcement to make schools a safe place for 
learning, they can use additional help and guidance to make their 
planning as effective as possible. I speak to students from North 
Carolina who are concerned about violence in their schools, about gang 
activity, or about bullying. Secure Our Schools gives schools and law 
enforcement agencies the flexibility to address their community's 
unique needs.
  Although schools are central institutions to our communities, they 
are often overlooked in security and emergency planning. The 
partnerships between schools and law enforcement facilitated by Secure 
Our Schools have far-reaching benefits to school safety and the health 
of our communities.
  H.R. 2352 gives these partnerships new tools to keep our children 
safe by allowing the use of funds for surveillance equipment and 
capital improvement. In recognition of the incredible need for these 
funds, it expands the authorization for Secure Our Schools grants to 
$50 million. It is a solid step to improve our schools and recognize 
the hard work of teams of teachers, administrators, health care 
workers, security staff, and law enforcement personnel in keeping our 
children safe.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join me in voting yes for H.R. 
2352.

                          ____________________